Ranscombe Farm, Cuxton, Medway, Kent

Join The Wild Flower Society at Ranscombe Farm, Cuxton, Medway, Kent for a guided field meeting on Sunday 14 June. Meet at 10:30 in the carpark (nearest postcode ME2 1LA; Grid Ref: TQ717674; what3words: ///precautions.tags.left). Leader Sue Southall will guide this “Come and Find” session across the reserve, so bring suitable footwear and clothing for walking on chalk grassland and through woodland tracks.

Ranscombe comprises chalk grassland, arable fields and long-established woodland and is renowned for its botanical interest. Expect to see Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata) and Wild Liquorice (Astragalus glycyphyllos), together with skylarks and butterflies such as Common Blue and Marbled White. The reserve is believed to be the last natural site in the UK for Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) and supports the largest UK populations of Broad-leaved Cudweed (Filago pyramidata). Historic woodland features include Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and Sweet Chestnut coppice (Castanea sativa) which has existed here since at least AD 1600.

To book or for more information contact Janet John at wfs.meetings@gmail.com. This event offers a superb opportunity for botanists, wildlife enthusiasts and anyone interested in Kent's rich wild flower heritage to explore a nationally important reserve with experienced leaders.